The Nigerian Army said its troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have decisively thwarted an early-morning attempt by terrorists operating from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, neutralising several insurgents.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, in a statement said the incident occurred in the early hours of 18 December 2025, when troops, supported by advanced surveillance systems, detected the movement of terrorists advancing towards the area.

The statement added that troops further neutralized several insurgents, including a key terrorist commander and his cameraman. As the surviving terrorists attempted to withdraw, follow-on precision strikes were conducted by the Air Component of OPHK, further decimating the retreating elements and disrupting their escape routes.

Troops subsequently conducted a thorough exploitation of the area, leading to the recovery of significant terrorist weapons, equipment, and logistics. Items recovered included a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 AK-47 magazines loaded with rounds, seven mobile phones, PKT machine guns, several belts of PKT and GPMG-linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.

Further exploitation revealed multiple blood trails and shallow graves, indicative of additional casualties sustained by the terrorists during the ground engagement and subsequent air strikes.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI remain resolute in their commitment to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the North-East region.

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The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the suspected remains of a police inspector who went missing over six months ago during a security operation in Guma Local Government Area of the state.

The deceased officer, identified as Inspector Mohammed Yakubu, was attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) under the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF). He reportedly went missing on June 13, 2025, during a mission at Tse Keleke, about 10 kilometres from Daudu.

Sources told security expert, Zagazolo Makama, that at about 9:30 am on December 18, intelligence indicated that a decomposed corpse—believed to be that of the missing officer, was discovered in the bush close to the area where he was last seen.

A joint recovery team, comprising the ACPOL Metro Makurdi, Divisional Police Officer Daudu, police medical team, State Intelligence Service operatives, 13 PMF officers, personnel of OPS Zenda JTF, Counter-Terrorism Unit, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, was immediately mobilised to the scene.

The skeletonised remains were recovered and conveyed to the 13 PMF base for further procedures.

The command said consultations are ongoing with the inspector’s family to facilitate the release of the remains for a befitting burial.

The police described the discovery as a “closure” to the long-standing missing-in-action case.

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• Nigerian lady Helen Williams has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest wig ever made, measuring 15.37 metres (50.42 feet).
• While the feat has drawn congratulations and national pride, it has also sparked debate and humour online, with some questioning the practicality and value of such records as others applauded her achievement.

Nigerian lady Helen Williams has officially set a Guinness World Record for the longest wig ever made, measuring an incredible 15.37 metres (50.42 feet).

The achievement has placed Nigeria back in the global spotlight, sparking a mix of pride and debate online.

While many celebrated her dedication, the unusual nature of the record prompted humorous and critical reactions from netizens on social media.

Social Media Reactions:

@RedChilds: “If e sure for am, make she take 2 steps. If it can’t actually function as a wig, is it really one?”

@KingProdigy: “Does everything qualify for a Guinness World Record?”

@BeardedPriest: “Nigeria busy chasing things that don’t even add value.”

@DpEsho: “Someone has a record for the fastest time to chop up pineapples.”

@boxypiper: “About time I go through your website and pick a record for myself.”

@OLami_deeEbony: “At this point I think I’m going to find a record to break too.”

@Thrifted Cloth: “Nigerians won clear all the records. Congratulations my sister.”

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A civil society organisation, CSO, Centre for Leadership Legacy International, Centre LLI, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uphold the highest integrity in his government by ensuring that any act capable of bringing his government into disrepute is not entertained.

In a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Centre, Davies Isaiah Ijele, the group urged President Tinubu to look deeply into the serial allegations of certificate forgery against his Minister of Interior, Olubumi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, these allegations have become too weighty to be ignored, saying that if not properly handled, they can constitute a burden to the integrity rating or credibility of the government.

Recall that there have been repeated calls on President Tinubu and the DSS by concerned Nigerians for an investigation into the Minister of Interior’s alleged certificate forgery scandal.

The group alleged that the minister’s declaration in his official profile presented before the National Assembly for his 2019 House of Representatives run (INEC/EC9) listed his education as including a first degree from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and postgraduate study at London Metropolitan University.

It claimed that the degree from OAU has no date or year of graduation, while the master’s degree from a London university has 2006 as the year of graduation.

Secondly, the group alleged that during his 2023 Senate screening for a ministerial appointment, Tunji-Ojo presented an NYSC discharge certificate as part of the vetting paperwork, dated 2023, with an explanation that he had been first mobilised in 2006 but absconded, and was then remobilised later, while the discharge certificate was printed/issued in February 2023. That NYSC clarification is widely reported in the press.

Citing alleged discrepancies in Tunji-Ojo’s certificate claims, which it said are already in the public domain, with many questions being asked, the group insisted that the claims do not add up and, rather than clarifying the controversy, further complicate it.

The group in the statement expressed worry, saying, ” An interior minister of Nigeria, handling the internal security for the country, has a degree certificate from Obafemi Awolowo University with no record of year of graduation, and has a master’s degree from London Metropolitan University in 2006 and was mobilised for NYSC service in Nigeria in 2006.

“His NYSC couldn’t be completed, so he had to be remobilised in 2019 while already elected as a House of Representatives member that same 2019, and his NYSC certificate couldn’t be printed in 2023 for presentation as his highest qualification for ministerial screening in 2023?

“Again, there is the legality of being a corps member while serving as a lawmaker. Does the law allow that? These claims do not tally at all and leave more questions than answers, the statement said.

The group therefore urged President Tinubu to listen to Nigerians and wade into the discrepancies in Tunji-Ojo’s educational certificate controversies in the interest of the integrity and accountability of his government.

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A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has urged the United States to impose a visa ban on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

He stated this while reacting to allegations that the duo are involved in arming Fulani bandits and other non-state actors in the state.

Speaking via a statement on Friday, Frank called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order a full investigation into the allegations.

He warned the United States to apply caution in sharing intelligence with Nigeria until the matter is thoroughly investigated.

Frank described the controversy as “a chain of official contradictions, confessions, denials, and reversals,” which he said had exposed “dangerous fault lines within Nigeria’s national security architecture.”

Frank said officials of the Kwara State Government initially confirmed that the suspects were members of Miyetti Allah and were operating under a federal security arrangement coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“Barely days after initial denials, the Kwara State Government itself confirmed that the arrested individuals were part of a security operation linked to the NSA’s office,” Frank stated.

He added that the situation became more troubling after a statement from the NSA’s office reportedly acknowledged that arms had been issued to vigilantes under so-called “hybrid security operations,” in line with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.

“That admission was widely reported and not immediately disputed,” Frank said.

However, he criticised what he described as a “sudden and suspicious U-turn” by the NSA’s office, which later denied arming kidnappers, militias, or socio-cultural groups, insisting instead that the individuals involved were merely vigilantes known to the NSA.

According to Frank, the conflicting accounts have raised serious questions. “Who authorised the arms? Who recruited these armed men? Why did official accounts change repeatedly within days? Is the Kwara State Governor telling the truth, or is the NSA covering up?” he asked.

Describing the matter as a “national security scandal,” Frank said the inconsistencies could not be dismissed as media misinterpretation.

“You cannot, as National Security Adviser, first appear to justify or explain the issuance of arms and then turn around to deny it completely. Such contradictions suggest either gross incompetence or a deliberate cover-up,” he said.

Frank urged President Tinubu to immediately order an independent probe into the roles of the NSA and the Kwara State Government, investigate the conflicting statements from the NSA’s office, and ensure that any official found to have armed or enabled non-state actors outside the law is held accountable.

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The House of Representatives has approved a significant increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices. The lawmakers also made other amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 aimed at strengthening the credibility, transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The resolutions were adopted on Thursday during a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the House Committee on Electoral Matters.

The session was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, at plenary.

Under the approved amendments, the ceiling on campaign expenditure for presidential candidates was raised from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion.

Governorship candidates will now be allowed to spend up to ₦3 billion, compared to the previous ₦1 billion limit.

For senatorial contests, the spending cap was increased from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives can now spend up to ₦250 million, up from ₦70 million.

The House also raised the campaign spending limits for state House of Assembly candidates from ₦30 million to ₦100 million.

For local government chairmanship elections, the ceiling was similarly increased from ₦30 million to ₦100 million, while councillorship candidates will now be permitted to spend up to ₦10 million, compared to the earlier ₦5 million limit.

In addition, lawmakers approved a provision that restricts individual or corporate donations to candidates to a maximum of ₦500 million, in a bid to curb undue influence and excessive monetisation of the electoral process.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the House commenced deliberations on the proposed electoral reforms on Wednesday, reviewing several provisions of the existing law and proposing amendments intended to address gaps exposed during recent elections.

Beyond campaign finance, the House endorsed major reforms to the Electoral Act 2022, including provisions that formally recognise the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the primary tool for accrediting voters and mandate the real-time electronic transmission of election results.

BVAS

At Thursday’s sitting, lawmakers approved a clause requiring presiding officers at polling units to use BVAS or any other technological device prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify and authenticate voters’ details. The provision further states that where the accreditation technology fails and a replacement device is not deployed, voting at the affected polling unit must be cancelled.

Under the amendment, INEC will be required to conduct a fresh election within 24 hours in such circumstances, provided the commission determines that the failure would substantially affect the final outcome of the election in the constituency concerned.

The House also approved a provision making electronic transmission of election results compulsory. The amendment mandates presiding officers to electronically transmit results from each polling unit to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after the conclusion of voting and counting.

READ ALSO: Reps probe discrepancies in gazetted tax laws, set up seven-member committee

The clause specifically provides that the presiding officer “shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and, where available, countersigned by candidates or polling unit agents.”

To further strengthen transparency, lawmakers amended Section 60(3) of the Act to compel INEC to transmit polling unit results to the IReV portal in real time alongside the physical collation of results. The amendment introduces stiffer penalties for electoral officers who deliberately violate procedures relating to the counting, announcement or transmission of results.

Under the revised provision, any presiding officer found guilty of such offences faces a minimum fine of ₦500,000, a jail term of at least six months, or both.

The House also adopted several other reforms designed to address long-standing weaknesses in Nigeria’s electoral system. One of the amendments requires that funds for the conduct of general elections be released to INEC at least one year before polling day, a move lawmakers said would significantly improve planning and logistics.

Penalties for multiple voter registration were also increased, with offenders now liable to a minimum fine of ₦100,000 or a one-year jail term, or both. In addition, the House approved an extension of the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates to INEC, shifting it from 180 days to 210 days before an election.

Another notable amendment allows the use of electronically generated voter identification for accreditation and voting. This includes downloadable voter cards embedded with unique QR codes, which lawmakers said would modernise the accreditation process and reduce dependence on physical voter cards.

Following extensive deliberations, the House adopted the amendments as a working tool to guide future elections, describing the reforms as part of a broader effort to curb electoral malpractice, strengthen the legal framework and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

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Emperor Baywood Ibe inspecting the largesse before they were shared to Awgu communities.

From Maurice Okafor, Enugu

As part of activities to mark the funeral ceremonies of late lady Ezinne Eunice Ibe, the Ibe Royal family of Isu-Awaa community in Awgu local government area of Enugu state, on Thursday, December 18th fete the very poor and less privileged families in each of the 21 communities that makes up Awgu local government area, with bags of rice, vegetable oil and other condiments.

Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, who doled out the largesse on behalf of the family, said they are targeting the needy and poor, wi fifty (50) each from the 21 communities that makes up Awgu local government area, to benefit from the gesture.

He said the largesse is part of the family’s initiative to accommodate the poor in the celebration of life and times of their mother,Lady Ezinne Eunice Ibe, who throughout her life time cared for the poor.

Emperor Baywood Ibe said the gesture are the legacies of their late mother

“it’s part of the legacy of our mother. She loves to give to the poor. I can liken her to Mother Theresa My mother and father were exceptional when it comes to giving.

“In her honour, We want to touch lives who are not likely to come for the celebration of her transition with us. That is her legacy.

” We have directed for a compilation of the very poor families, 50 each from the 21 Communities in Awgu local government area.

“What is spread here is a total of 1,050 bags of rice. Each of the selected poor family will get one bag of the rice and other condiments”, Emperor Baywood explained to the crowd.

Answering questions thereafter from newsmen, Emperor Baywood Ibe said to avoid stampede, they adopted the strategy that each of the community should carry their own allocation to their village square and share peacefully to their own poor.

Lady Ezinne Eunice Ibe passed on at the ripe age of 90 years.She was born in 1935.

The series of events to honour her with a befitting burial which started on Thursday, December 18th, will be rounded up on Sunday, December 21st.

She lived a virtuous life. Amidst her poor background, She overcame all odds in giving her children a desired upbringing through hard work. As a payback, God Almighty granted her long life and she enjoyed the fruit of her labour.

Thus, It is not surprising that the Ibe royal family of Isu-Awaa community in Awgu local government area of Enugu state,simply themed her transition as,” Black Ndigo Goes Home”.

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• A young lady shared her thoughts after reading the suit filed against popular pastor Chris Okafor by actress Doris Ogala
• The actress sued the pastor for emotional damage, accusing him of failing to honor his promises to her
• Her suit got many people talking online after she demanded a large sum as compensation from the pastor

A Nigerian lady shared her opinion on a matter involving a popular pastor, Chris Okafor, and a Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala.

She took to social media to speak her mind after Doris Ogala sued the pastor and demanded a large sum from him.

Lady reacts to suit filed by Doris Ogala against pastor. Photo Source: Twitter/Jade_Mois
Source: Getty Images

Lady comments on actress’s billion-naira demand

In the said suit, it was reported that Doris claimed she gave the pastor access to her account, which contained a large sum of money, and also accused the pastor of causing her emotional damage, for which she is demanding heavy compensation.

Read also

Nigerians react as fresh video from Pastor Chris Okafor’s wedding trends: “The bride is so beautiful”

The post shared by @TrendingEx, which contains a copy of the suit, reported that Doris Ogala is demanding the sum of one billion naira as compensation from the pastor for emotional damage and other claims.

Nigerian lady reacts to Doris Ogala suing Pastor Chris. Middle photo for illustration purposes only. Photo Credit: Getty Images/RODWORKS, Twitter/Jade_Mois
Source: Twitter

Reacting to this, a social media user, @Jade_Mois, lamented over the amount the Nollywood actress is demanding and suggested that she should ask for something payable rather than the huge sum she requested.

The lady wrote:

“She should ask for what’s feasible. If he has one billion, will he be marrying anyone?”

Reactions as Doris Ogala Sues Pastor Chris

@theoriccy noted:

“Her case would have been a good case. Had she not use her mouth d3stroy her case on SM. I know Chris Okafor will hire a good lawyer dat will d3stroy this case.”

@OjCadre said:

“She even put account number for d later. She dey expect 1bn. Na 1 trillion she go see. Make she get faith.”

Read also

Doris Ogala breaks silence over Pastor Chris Okafor’s marriage, shares what she knows about new wife

@aloziekelsawom wrote:

“Shey this one gent sense? You left your marriage cause of another man, now the man no gree marry you, you dey sue am, him force you leave your marriage ni?”

@TNwaiku said:

“Maybe the husband should also sue her and demand N1 billion for leaving their marriage.”

@AkinOluTayo wrote:

“Pastor Chris should just play the video where she said her marriage was toxic which is why she left.”

@KennyBroszo added:

“Omo just get data on your phone, for this country 😂, everyday na different episodes of Craze Matters dey this X app.”

@dtch007 stressed:

“The only bright side I see to this story is that it will reformat some people’s brains from making same stupid decision.”

@glitch_8200 noted:

“This is nothing but a case of an old woman trapped in the mind of a 10 year old girl….Pathetic human being.”

@AdedireEmmanue5 said:

“Shey this woman no get shame? I don’t understand, what you did is even against the law both morally and socially. You have lost both ways.”

Read also

Pastor Chris Okafor weds wife Pearl amid Doris Ogala’s outburst, popular clerics spotted at wedding

Read the post below:

In a similar story, Legit.ng recently reported that Doris Ogala spoke in an interview about how she said she met Pastor Chris Okafor. In the video, she shared details about places they allegedly met in the village and in Lagos, which surprised many fans and made people talk online.

Man reacts to Doris Ogala controversy

Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that trouble started online after actress Doris Ogala accused Pastor Chris Okafor of promising to marry her. She also claimed that he treated her badly.

The story quickly spread on social media and made many Nigerians talk, especially after an old video of the pastor appeared online again.

Source: Legit.ng

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A young Nigerian lady has sparked a stir on social media after boldly stating that the baddies are the ones thriving in life, while the “good girls” are falling behind contrary to what parents have preached since childhood.

In a viral video shared by @Teniola on X (formerly Twitter), she highlighted that girls who “opened their eyes early” have not only survived challenges but are excelling.

In her words, she said:

“It’s high time we tell ourselves the truth, the baddies are winning. Look at those girls who were sharp and ambitious from a young age; their lives didn’t get destroyed. They’re thriving, traveling to different countries, and truly making moves.”

Reflecting on the saying, “good girls don’t get paid,” she expressed surprise that it isn’t emphasized enough.

She added that when comparing ambitious women with those who play it safe, the difference becomes obvious.

The baddies are now leading, traveling abroad, and achieving success even during festive seasons like Christmas when they continue to shine.

Her words quickly sparked reactions online. A commentator wrote, “Gone are those days when good girls pay; now it’s a different ball game.”

Another said, “Thank God I no follow una do good girl; I can’t count my achievements.” Others praised her honesty, noting that her statement resonates with the realities of modern life.

Watch video below…

Let’s tell ourselves the truth, the baddies are wining, you see those girls that open their eyes when they’re small, their life no later sp0il ooo, that good girl no dey pay is real” — Lady pic.twitter.com/YnDeojrHDY

— TENIOLA (@Teeniiola) December 18, 2025

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The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has thanked Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for “heeding” its call to defect to the party from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Muftwang’s defection was officially confirmed on Thursday night by APC national chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda at the party’s 14th national caucus meeting, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Reacting to the development on Friday in a statement by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the North-Central APC Forum, which has for more than one year – since April 2024 – been campaigning for Muftwang to join the APC, welcomed the Plateau governor to the party and assured him of all needed support.

The Forum, in the statement, noted that Muftwang has instructed all his aides to move with him to the APC.

Describing the governor’s defection as “historic” and “strategic”, the Forum observed that the North-Central is now the only zone in the country that has six APC governors.

“We, the North-Central APC Forum, are happy to announce the successful culmination of our agitation and campaign for Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State to join the APC. We thank Governor Muftwang for heeding our call, which was prompted by our commitment to the interests of Plateau State and the entire North-Central.

“Our campaign for Muftwang to join APC  was informed by his good works and achievements in office, and because we believe he has the capacity to even do more if he is in a stable political platform such as the one provided by the APC. We also believe that joining the APC will give Governor Mutfwang the opportunity to join hands with President Bola Tinubu to, more effectively, deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State.

“With this development, the North-Central is now the only zone with six APC governors as all the six states in the region are now APC. This is a historic development which has actualized our vision of delivering the entire North-Central to our great party.

“We are certain that this strategic move by Governor Muftwang will benefit the entire North-Central, not only the people of Plateau State. We assure Governor Muftwang of our full support and call on all stakeholders to rally round him as he contributes to move the party forward,” the statement said.

The APC Forum restated its pledge to deliver six million votes from the North-Central for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The Forum had initially promised four million votes towards the President’s re-election but in April 2025, raised the figure to six million votes, while also announcing a goal to win all elective positions in the zone in 2027 “to show that in truth, the North-Central is for APC”.

“Our pledge to deliver six million votes for Mr President is on course, especially now that all the states in the zone are with APC. Mr President can rest assured concerning the votes of the North-Central when it is time for his re-election in 2027,” the statement said.

In the same vein, the Forum thanked Tinubu for providing the leadership that made it possible for Mutfwang to join the APC.

It would be recalled that the North-Central APC Forum had in April 2024 sent a letter to Mutfwang, formally inviting him to join the APC, shortly after the Supreme Court affirmed his election as governor of Plateau State.

The APC Forum also sent a letter to the party’s national secretariat notifying it of the decision to invite Mutfwang to join the party. As part of the push to draft Mutfwang into the APC, the North-Central APC Forum, in March 2024, held a meeting in Abuja with leaders and chieftains of the party in Plateau State, to strategize on the plan to poach Mutfwang from the PDP.

In December 2024, there were rumours that Mutfwang has defected to the APC. The rumours followed the circulation of Mutfwang’s photograph among those of APC governors during the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

Mutfwang, however, distanced himself from the rumours, and reaffirmed his membership of the PDP, in a statement released by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

However, the North-Central APC Forum continued to call on the governor to join the APC and take up the leadership of the party in Plateau State. And with the PDP continuously rocked by crisis, the Forum intensified the campaign to recruit Muftwang, advising the governor to join the party to avoid “drowning with the PDP”.

Muftwang’s defection to the APC was opposed by some leaders of the party in Plateau State, who at a stakeholders meeting in Jos on October 17, 2025, endorsed a motion, moved by former Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, which opposed Mutfwang’s possible defection to the APC.

“I move the motion against accepting Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang joining the APC,” Fuanter had said. The motion was also unanimously accepted by the stakeholders

But reacting to the position of the Plateau APC leaders, the North-Central APC Forum said those opposed to Mutfwang’s defection to the APC are doing so for selfish reasons, and not for the interest of the party.

Following protests and rallies against Muftwang’s defection, staged by some APC members, including the women chapter, in Jos, the Forum accused party national chairman, Yilwatda, of sponsoring moves to block the Plateau governor from joining the party, describing his alleged action as undemocratic.

Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau in the 2023 election but lost to Muftwang, then of the APC. The North-Central APC Forum said Yilwatda intends to contest the governorship election again in 2027, hence his opposition to Mutfwang’s coming.

The North-Central Forum APC went ahead to declare that the national chairman has no role to play in Muftwang’s defection, and cannot stop the Plateau governor from joining any time he makes up his mind to join the APC. It noted that only the APC executives at the governor’s ward in Mangu have the authority to admit him into the party. The Forum equally urged the Mangu Ward executives to openly invite Muftwang to join the APC.

In the same vein, the North-Central APC Forum called on President Bola Tinubu and APC governors, under the umbrella of the Progressive Governors Forum, to intervene and pave the way for Muftwang’s defection.

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